Crematory with incinerator

ABSTRACT

A crematory having a plurality of sides is constructed around a base section. A cremation surface is located at a position within the base section that allows the loading of a body from a loading level, no higher than about a person&#39;s waist level above a floor from which loading of the crematory takes place, at least one of the sides of the crematory. A crematory door is mounted to move to closed and open positions. When in the closed position, the crematory door covers at least substantially one side of the crematory above the cremation surface and extends substantially over the cremation surface from about the loading level. When in the open position, the crematory door allows a body to be cremated to be loaded onto the cremation surface from the loading level at least one of the sides of the crematory.

This application takes priority from U.S. provisional application 60/624,900 filed on Nov. 3, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Crematories are used in a variety of applications where it is desirable to cremate dead bodies, including animal carcasses, the remains of deceased humans, and other organic materials. The initial cremation operation, in which a body is placed into a hearth and then consumed by intense heating, can typically require that the crematory achieve hearth temperatures of up to 1600° F. to 2000° F. or more. Crematories also typically include an incinerator to receive flue products from the crematory hearth. The incinerator burns particles contained in the flue products from the hearth to ensure, for environmental purposes, that all matter coming from the hearth has been totally consumed. The incineration operation can typically require that the incinerator itself achieve temperatures of up to 1825° F. to 2000° F. or more.

In many cremation facilities, especially those employed by animal welfare and control organizations, it is common for bodies to vary greatly in size prior to cremation. Due to such body size variations, it is also common for multiple bodies of different sizes to be loaded (or “charged”) into a crematory at one time so that the multiple bodies can be simultaneously cremated during a single cremation cycle, reducing overall operation times and costs. Thus, an operator will frequently charge a crematory with a small number of larger bodies along with any number of smaller bodies to maximize the amount of biomass that is cremated during a single cremation cycle.

Consequently, even if many small bodies are to be simultaneously cremated during a single cremation cycle, it is also highly likely that an operator will eventually need to charge the crematory with one or more larger bodies. However, the bodies of larger animals can weigh more than a hundred pounds and therefore be extremely difficult to lift for charging. Many previous crematories require that charging be performed from above the crematory apparatus or from other positions that are either highly impractical or inconvenient for charging by hand, requiring the operator to utilize a crane, pallet, or other loading device to complete the charging operation. Some loading devices, such as wood pallets or cardboard liners, may be consumable and require replacement after each cremation cycle, increasing the overall operating cost of a facility. Regardless of the charging method that is used, the crematory design must allow for both hearth accessibility and an ability to withstand high temperatures associated with the cremation and incineration operations.

SUMMARY

A crematory having a plurality of sides is constructed around a base section having a hearth with a cremation surface. The cremation surface is located at a position within the base section that allows the loading of a body to be cremated onto the cremation surface from a loading level at least one of the sides of the crematory. The loading level is no higher than about a person's waist level above a floor from which loading of the crematory takes place.

A crematory door is mounted on the crematory to move to closed and open positions. When the crematory door is in the closed position, the crematory door covers at least substantially one side of the crematory above the cremation surface and extends substantially over the cremation surface from about the loading level. When the crematory door is in the open position, the crematory door allows a body to be cremated to be loaded onto the cremation surface from the loading level at least one of the sides of the crematory.

Some embodiments of the invention allow the crematory door to be lifted vertically from the closed position to the open position. In other embodiments, the crematory door is mounted to rotate about a pivot point, from the closed position to the open position and back from the open position to the closed position. The crematory door may have an insulated clamshell type configuration. Many embodiments will also include an actuator to move the crematory door between the closed and open positions. Since the cremation operation can typically occur at temperatures above 1600° F., the insulated crematory door will generally be constructed to withstand such high temperatures for extended periods of time.

Some embodiments of the invention may also include an incinerator for further consuming waste gases and particles that pass out of the hearth during a cremation process before the waste particles and gases exit from the crematory. Such an incinerator can include an additional burner to incinerate effluents as they pass through a fluid path of the incinerator. The fluid path of an incinerator can assume various shapes and often leads to a flue and/or chimney for channeling the waste gases away from the crematory after incineration.

Those skilled in the art will realize that this invention is capable of embodiments that are different from those shown and that details of the structures of the disclosed crematories can be changed in various manners without departing from the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as including such equivalent crematories as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding and appreciation of this invention, and many of its advantages, reference will be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the crematory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the crematory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention having a crematory door in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the crematory of FIG. 4 having the crematory door in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the crematory of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the crematory of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the crematory of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a cutaway perspective view of an incinerator positioned within a base section of the crematory of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10A is a side conceptual view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention, a crematory door being in a closed position;

FIG. 10B is a side conceptual view of the crematory of FIG. 10A, the crematory door being in an open position;

FIG. 11A is a side conceptual view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention, a crematory door being in a closed position;

FIG. 11B is a side conceptual view of the crematory of FIG. 11A, the crematory door being in an open position;

FIG. 12A is a side conceptual view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention, a crematory door being in a closed position;

FIG. 12B is a side conceptual view of the crematory of FIG. 12A, the crematory door being in an open position;

FIG. 13A is a side conceptual view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention, a crematory door being in a closed position;

FIG. 13B is a side conceptual view of the crematory of FIG. 13A, the crematory door being in an open position;

FIG. 14A is a side conceptual view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention, a crematory door being in a closed position;

FIG. 14B is a side conceptual view of the crematory of FIG. 14A, the crematory door being in an open position;

FIG. 15A is a side conceptual view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention, a crematory door being in a closed position;

FIG. 15B is a side conceptual view of the crematory of FIG. 15A, the crematory door being in an open position;

FIG. 16A is a side conceptual view of a crematory according to one embodiment of the invention, a crematory door being in a closed position;

FIG. 16B is a side conceptual view of the crematory of FIG. 16A, the crematory door being in an open position;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory with incinerator according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory with incinerator according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory with incinerator according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory with incinerator according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory with incinerator according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 22 is a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory with incinerator according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, similar reference numerals are used to designate the same or corresponding parts throughout the several figures. Specific embodiment variations in corresponding parts are denoted with the addition of lower case letters to reference numerals.

FIGS. 1 though 3 depict side, top, and front cross sectional views of a conceptual crematory 20 a of the invention. FIGS. 1 and 3 include depictions of a human operator 22 a standing on a floor level 24 a that is the level of a floor 26 a that is in front of the crematory 20 a. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the crematory 20 a is also depicted as being positioned on the floor 26 a. To provide a better understanding of the invention, the operator 22 a is depicted to provide a general comparison of the size of the crematory 20 a and a reference for the approximate relative positioning of crematory components with respect to the floor level 24 a and a person who is the operator 22 a during a typical cremation cycle. However, it will be appreciated that the relative sizes of the crematory 20 a and human operator 22 a, as well as the relative positioning of crematory components with respect to the individual operator 22 a, can vary greatly, such variations being contemplated to exist within the intended scope of the invention.

The crematory 20 a is constructed around an insulated base section 28 a that provides the major structural assembly of the crematory 20 a. A hearth 30 a is located within the base section 28 a and includes a cremation surface 32 a on which bodies are positioned during the cremation operation. The cremation surface 32 a can be constructed of a high temperature withstanding metal, ceramic, or composite material and is slightly contoured to allow for the gathering of fluids, ash, and other combustion products that result during the cremation operation.

As best understood with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the crematory 20 a includes a base section 28 a and a front side 34 a in front of which the floor 26 a defines the floor level 24 a. Typically, this area of the floor 26 a in front of the crematory 20 a provides a general working area in which the operator 22 a “charges” the crematory 20 a by placing bodies on the cremation surface 32 a of the hearth 30 a. The positioning of the cremation surface 32 a in the hearth 30 a is such that the cremation surface 32 a is located at a position within the base section 28 a that allows for the loading of a body onto the cremation surface 32 a or “charging” of the crematory 20 a from the front side 34 a or another side of the crematory 20 a.

The operator 22 a charges the crematory 20 a from a loading level 36 a that is generally defined as being no higher than about a waist level 38 a of most operators relative to where loading or “charging” of the crematory 20 a is taking place. Thus, in the case of the crematory 20 a of FIGS. 1-3, the waist level 38 a is measured approximately with respect to the floor level 24 a, from which loading or “charging” of the crematory 20 a by the operator 22 a takes place.

This general positioning of the loading level 36 a is also convenient for use with a wheeled cart that may be used by the operator 22 a to transport bodies to the location of the crematory 20 a. When such a cart is moved to the front side 34 a of the crematory 20 a, the waist level positioning of the loading level 36 a allows the operator 22 a to easily charge the crematory 20 a by simply moving bodies contained on the cart along a generally horizontal plane on to the cremation surface 32 a of the hearth 30 a, the cremation surface 32 a being located at about or near the loading level 36 a. This approximately in-line movement of bodies from the cart to cremation surface 32 a at about the loading level 36 a/waist level 38 a of the operator 22 a can often eliminate the need for additional lifting equipment for all but the largest bodies.

Access to the hearth 30 a and cremation surface 32 a is provided by a crematory door 40 a. The crematory door 40 a is mounted on a door pivot 42 a that is located on a mounting 44 a positioned in fixed relation to the base section 28 a. The mounting 44 a allows the door pivot 42 a to be located relative to the base section 28 a and thereby allows for the door 40 a to be rotatable relative to both the door pivot 42 a and base section 28 a. Thus, the operator 22 is able to open the crematory door 40 a from a closed position, as shown with solid lines in FIGS. 1-3, to an open position, as depicted with broken lines in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the crematory door 40 a includes a face shield 46 a, side shields 48 a, top shield 50 a, and a lever assembly 52 a that is reinforced with lever supports 54 a. This combined arrangement of the face, top, and side shields 46 a, 48 a, and 50 a creates a “clamshell configuration” of the crematory door 40 a that allows direct access to the cremation surface 32 a from the front side 34 a of the crematory 20 a when the door 40 a is in the open position.

Consider the crematory door 40 a in the closed position, as shown with solid lines in FIGS. 1-3. With the door 40 a in the closed position, the face shield 46 a of the crematory door 40 a covers a substantial portion of one side, i.e. in FIGS. 1-3 the front side 34 a, of the crematory 20 a above the cremation surface 32 a. The top shield 50 a of the crematory door 40 a also extends substantially over the cremation surface 32 a from about the loading level 36 a, when the door 40 a is in the closed position.

An actuator 56 a is connected to the base section 28 a via a lower strut section 58 a and base pivot 60 a, and is further connected to the lever assembly 52 a of the crematory door 40 a with an upper strut section 62 a and lever pivot 64 a. It will be appreciated that electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and other types of drive systems can be implemented with the depicted actuator 56 a within the intended scope of the invention.

Consider the crematory 20 a prior to charging. The operator 22 a raises the crematory door 40 a by operating the actuator 56 a to pull the lever pivot 64 a and lever assembly 52 a toward the base pivot 60 a and base section 28 a, causing the crematory door 40 a to rotate around the door pivot 42 a and raise the crematory door 40 a to the open position as depicted with the broken lines in FIG. 1. This effectively raises the face shield 46 a of the door 40 a sufficiently high above the base section 28 a at the front side 34 a of the crematory 20 a to allow for unobstructed access to the hearth 30 a and cremation surface 32 a from the front side 34 a of the base section 28 a at the loading level 36 a. The operator 22 a can then easily move a cart bearing the bodies to be cremated up to the front side 34 a of the base section 28 a and proceed to move each body on to the cremation surface 32 without substantial lifting of the bodies above the loading level 36. Thus, when the crematory door 40 a is in the open position, this positioning of the crematory door 40 a allows a body to be loaded onto the cremation surface 32 a from about the loading level 36 a and from about one side, i.e. in FIGS. 1-3 the front side 34 a of the crematory 20 a.

After the crematory 20 a is charged, the operator 22 a then uses the actuator 56 a to lower the crematory door 40 a prior to initiating the cremation operation. The unobstructed access to the hearth 30 a and cremation surface 32 a from the loading level 36 a when the crematory door 40 a is in the open position also facilitates maintenance of the internal components of the crematory 20 a.

The cremation operation involves the heating of the hearth 30 a with cremation burners 66 a. However, before cremation begins, it may be required by applicable laws or regulations to initiate the operation of an incinerator for consuming waste particles and gases passing from the hearth 30 a before the waste gases exit from the crematory 20 a. As best understood by comparing FIGS. 1-3, an incinerator 68 a is located beneath the hearth 30 a in the base section 28 a. The incinerator includes a u-shaped gas flow path 69 a and a separate incinerator burner 70 a, the u-shaped gas flow path 69 a being positioned to receive waste particles and gases after they pass over the hearth 30 a during the cremation operation. The u-shape of the gas flow path 69 a of the incinerator 68 a is best understood with reference to the top view of the crematory 20 a in FIG. 2.

It is common in many jurisdictions for the incinerator 68 a to be required during such cremations. There is also often an added statutory or regulatory requirement for the incinerator 68 a to achieve from 1600° to 1825° F., or in some cases above 2000° F., prior to commencing the cremation operation. Once such incinerator temperatures are achieved, cremation may begin by heating the hearth 30 a to 1600° to 1800° F. or higher, with waste particles and gases passing from the hearth 30 a to the incinerator 68 a where particles and pollutant gases remaining in the waste gases flow through the u-shaped flow path 69 a are further consumed prior to the air exiting through the flue 72 a. The base section 28 a, as well as the face, side, and lever shields 46 a, 48 a, and 50 a of the crematory door 40 a must normally be heavily reinforced with ceramic or other appropriate materials to withstand such temperatures.

Both the cremation burners 66 a and incinerator burner 70 a are typically gas fired devices that rely on appropriate conduits and headers (hereinafter collectively referred to as “conduits”) to provide gas and/or air. In some embodiments of the invention, structural tubing of the base section 28 a or of other crematory components may be employed to serve as such air and gas supply conduits to conserve space and improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the crematory 20 a. For example, heavy duty 4″ structural square tube can be employed to serve such a dual function for appropriately implemented conduits.

The positioning of conduits and other components of the crematory can vary according to the specific application and available or desired types of energy. For example, FIGS. 4-8 depict a crematory 20 b of the invention configured for operating with natural gas and air, with an electrically actuated crematory door 40 b having an insulated clamshell type configuration.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the crematory 20 b with the crematory door 40 b raised to the open position. High temperature thermal insulation, which can be fiberglass, ceramic fiber, composite, or any other thermally resistant material lines the inside of the crematory door 40 b. Ceramic bricks 76 b and a ceramic structural member 78 b in the base section 28 b form the inside walls of the hearth 30 b, and are located along the outer edges of the cremation surface 32 b. A sliding support bar 80 b extends from the base section 28 b and is connected with a support pivot 82 b to the side shield 48 b of the crematory door 40 b. The support bar 80 b provides additional support for the crematory door 40 b when the door 40 b is in the open position, and is locked into position relative to the base section 28 b by the operator 22 b with a handle lock 84 b prior to charging or cleaning the hearth 30 b. The operator 22 b disengages the handle lock 84 b prior to moving the crematory door 40 b to the closed position, as depicted in FIG. 5., the sliding support bar 80 b sliding through the handle lock 84 b but remaining connected to the crematory door 40 b at the support pivot 82 b as the door 40 b rotates on the door pivot 46 b to the closed position.

As best understood with a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5, when the crematory door 40 b is in the closed position shown in FIG. 5, the face shield 46 b of the crematory door 40 b substantially covers one side, i.e. the front side 34 b, of the crematory 20 b above the cremation surface 32 b. The side shield 48 b visible in FIGS. 4 and 5 also covers a substantial portion of one side of the crematory 20 b when the door 40 b is closed. In the closed position, the top shield 50 b of the crematory door 40 b also extends substantially over the cremation surface 32 b from about the loading level 36 b.

As best understood by comparing FIG. 4 with the rear perspective view of the crematory 20 b in FIG. 6, cremation burners 66 b extend through the ceramic bricks 76 b of the base section 28 b to provide heat for cremation processes. The depicted cremation burners 66 b are gas fired, utilizing natural gas supplied from an external utility conduit 88 b. However, it will be appreciated that burners using other fuels can also be incorporated within the intended scope of the invention. Generally, suitable cremation burners for a crematory will be capable of heating a hearth from about 1600° F. to above 2000° F., and will be either independently controllable or controllable via external controller valves to allow for adjustment in the level of heating within the hearth and crematory.

As best understood by comparing the rear perspective view of the crematory 20 b in FIG. 6 with the rear view in FIG. 7, the utility conduit 88 b supplies natural gas to a gas conduit 86 b of the crematory 20 b. The gas conduit 86 b channels gas through a main gas regulator 89 b that allows for the reduction of gas conduit pressure to levels that are compatible for use by the cremation burners 66 b and incinerator burner 70 b. The gas conduit 86 b then channels gas through a conduit manual shutoff valve 90 b that allows for manual interruption of gas flow to downstream components along the gas conduit 86 b. Gas is further channeled by the gas conduit 86 b through a dual valve manifold 91 b that includes a pair of electrically operated block valves that allow for safe emergency shutoff of the fuel supply. Gas flowing through the gas conduit 86 b diverges at a conduit tee 92 b into a cremation burner leg 94 b and an incinerator burner leg 96 b.

The cremation burner leg 94 b includes a cremation manual shutoff valve 98 b that allows for manual interruption of gas flow to downstream components along the cremation burner leg 94 b. Gas flows from the cremation manual shutoff valve 98 b to a cremation automatic controller valve 100 b that allows for controlled regulation of gas flow into the cremation burners 66 b. Gas flowing through the cremation burner leg 94 b again diverges at a burner tee 102 b into separate burner conduits 104 b, which directly supply gas to the individual cremation burners 66 b if multiple cremation burners 66 b are employed.

The incinerator burner leg 96 b includes an incinerator manual shutoff valve 103 b that allows for manual interruption of gas flow to downstream components along the incinerator burner leg 96 b. Gas flows from the incinerator manual shutoff valve 103 b to an incinerator automatic controller valve 106 b that allows for controlled regulation of gas flow into the incinerator burner 70 b. Comparing FIGS. 6 and 7 with the side view of the crematory 20 b in FIG. 8, gas is then allowed to flow to an incinerator inlet valve 108 b that regulates gas flowing into the incinerator burner 70 b.

Air is supplied to the crematory 20 b with an air blower 114 b which feeds air into a main air conduit 116 b, the air conduit 116 b having a relatively large size cross sectional diameter to allow for the accommodation of larger volumes of air. The incinerator burner air conduit 112 b has a smaller cross sectional diameter and channels air from the main air conduit 116 b to the incinerator burner 70 b where it mixes with gas from the incinerator burner leg 96 b and is consumed in the combustion process of the incinerator burner 70 b. An incinerator air control valve 118 b is positioned along the incinerator burner air conduit 112 b to allow for limiting of air flow to the incinerator burner 70 b.

The incinerator automatic controller valve 106 b and incinerator air control valve 118 b are remotely operated by a controller 142 b that monitors incinerator temperatures with an incinerator thermocouple 144 b. The controller 142 b allows operator adjustment of a desired incinerator set point temperature, and then automatically adjusts the incinerator automatic controller valve 106 b to allow an appropriate level of gas flow and adjusts the incinerator air control valve 118 b to allow an appropriate level of air flow to cause the incinerator burner 70 b to burn and therefore maintain the desired set point temperature.

An air curtain conduit 120 b, also having a smaller cross sectional diameter than the main air conduit 116 b, channels air from the main air conduit 116 b to an air curtain manifold 122 b. As best understood by comparing FIG. 6 with the front perspective view of the crematory 20 b in FIG. 4, the air curtain manifold 122 b supplies air to two air curtain nozzles 124 b that are positioned to blow air across the incinerator entrance 126 b toward the ceramic structural member 78 b. This blowing of air by the air curtain nozzles 124 b creates an air curtain, which creates an air damper between cremation processes occurring in the hearth 30 b and incineration processes occurring in the incinerator 68 b. The blowing air also provides additional oxygen for the incineration process as waste gases and particles pass from over the hearth 30 b through the incinerator entrance 126 b.

Referring again to the rear perspective view of the crematory 20 b in FIG. 6 and the rear view of the crematory 20 b in FIG. 7, an incinerator chamber air conduit 128 b channels air from the main air conduit 116 b directly to the incinerator 68 b. The incinerator chamber air conduit 128 b is divided into three segments. The first segment includes an upstream conduit tube 130 b comprising a segment of tubing that channels air from the main air conduit 116 b. The second segment comprises a structural square tube 132 b of the base section 28 b that is hollow along its length and that provides an internal channel for flowing air. The structural square tube 132 b is sealed from other crematory components and from the surrounding atmosphere except at a first interconnection point 134 b, where the structural square tube 132 b is attached to receive flowing air from the upstream conduit tube 130 b, and with reference to FIG. 4, at a second interconnection point 136 b, where the structural square tube 132 b is attached to channel flowing air into a downstream conduit tube 138 b. Thus, the dual usage of the structural square tube 132 b as a structural member of the base section 28 b and as part of the incinerator chamber air conduit 128 b serves to reduce the number of components present along the exterior of the crematory 20 b and simplifies the overall crematory design.

Referring now to the front perspective views of the crematory 20 b in FIGS. 4 and 5, the downstream conduit tube 138 b channels flowing air of the incinerator chamber air conduit 128 b through a two position emergency incineration air control valve 139 b and into an incinerator air inlet 140 b leading directly to the incinerator 68 b. The additional air flowing into the incinerator 68 b provides additional oxygen for incineration processes within the incinerator 68 b during operation. The air control valve 139 b is connected to a solenoid control 141 b that is operated by the controller 142 b, which provides operational logic for the air control valve 139 b.

Flowing air in the main air conduit 116 b that does not enter the incinerator burner air conduit 112 b, incinerator chamber air conduit 128 b, or air curtain conduit 120 b will continue to a reduced diameter portion 158 b of the main air conduit 116 b. The remaining flowing air is channeled by the main air conduit 116 b to an air pressure switch 160 b which constantly monitors the presence of air pressure to the air pressure switch 160 b. In the event of a sudden loss of flowing air through the main air conduit 116 b, the air pressure switch 160 b detects the absence of air pressure and shuts down the crematory 20 b.

The main air conduit 116 b also channels flowing air through a two position air control valve 162 b which typically incorporates a two position switch having HIGH and LOW switch settings and corresponding valve settings. The LOW switch and corresponding valve settings are normally used to restrict air flow from the main air conduit 116 b through the main air conduit connection 164 b and into the hearth 30 b when the incinerator 68 b is being heated but before a cremation process begins within the hearth 30 b. The HIGH switch and corresponding valve settings are normally used to increase air flow from the main air conduit 116 b through the main air conduit connection 164 b and into the hearth 30 b after the cremation burners 66 b have been fired and a cremation process is underway.

Air fed into the hearth 30 b by the main air conduit 116 b provides oxygen that interacts with the heat from the cremation burners 66 b and fuel provided by the bodies on the cremation surface 32 b of the hearth 30 b to cause the combustion of the cremation process. The operator 22 b may manually adjust the controller 142 b to achieve and maintain a particular set point temperature in the hearth 30 b. Accordingly, the controller 142 b automatically monitors the cremation temperatures within the hearth 30 b with a cremation chamber thermocouple 157 b and automatically adjusts the cremation automatic controller valve 100 b to allow an appropriate level of gas flow to the cremation burners 66 b to cause the cremation process to proceed at the desired set point temperature. As the cremation process continues, this results in waste particles and gases that are generated and that pass over the cremation surface 32 b, which are passed to the incinerator 68 b for further consumption.

Comparing FIGS. 4 and 5 to the cutaway perspective view in FIG. 9 of the incinerator 68 b within the base section 28 b of the crematory 20 b, the controller 142 b operates the air control valve 139 b depending on the temperature of the incinerator 68 b as measured at the outlet of the flue 72 b by a chimney thermocouple 156 b. The general path of waste particles and gases passing over the cremation surface 32 b in the hearth 30 b and passing through the air curtain created by the air curtain nozzles 124 b into the incinerator entrance 126 b is depicted as a hearth gas flow 146 b. The waste particles and gases continue as an incinerator flow 148 b as they enter and continue along the u-shaped flow path 69 b of the incinerator 68 b, where the effluents are further consumed by the incinerator 68 b. After being further consumed by the incinerator 68 b, the remaining incinerated matter becomes an exhaust flow 150 b as it enters and then passes through the flue 72 b. The exhaust flow 150 b subsequently exits the flue 72 b and encounters an open, flared chimney 152 b, suspended above the flue 72 b with supports 154 b. Natural updrafts from the surrounding environment force the heated incinerated matter up the chimney 152 b and away from the crematory 20 b.

During an incineration process, as the controller 142 b monitors temperature within the incinerator 68 b with the chimney thermocouple 156 b, the controller 142 b can sense fuel overload conditions within the hearth 30 b that could lead to significant temperature jumps or “runaway incinerator” conditions developing within the incinerator 68 b. If such temperature jumps or runaway incinerator conditions are determined by the controller 142 b to be present, the controller 142 b operates the solenoid control 141 b to adjust the air control valve 139 b to allow additional air flow from the incinerator chamber air conduit 128 b to enter the incinerator 68 b through the incinerator air inlet 140 b. The additional air flow entering the incinerator 68 b has the effect of controllably raising the temperature of the incineration process to incinerate more of the waste particles and gases in the incinerator flow 148 b and prevent the temperature jumps or “runaway incinerator” conditions from occurring.

The controller 142 b itself can be a programmable control system that allows for automatic and/or remote control, recognition, and integration of many crematory components, including but not limited to the air control valve 139 b and solenoid control 141 b, the dual valve manifold 91 b, the cremation automatic controller valve 100 b, the incinerator automatic controller valve 106 b, the air pressure switch 160 b, the two position air control valve 162 b, the main gas regulator 89 b, the chimney thermocouple 156 b, the cremation chamber thermocouple 157 b, the incinerator thermocouple 144 b and/or the actuator 56 b. Suitable controllers can include any of the Series 2300, 2500, 6300, 7000, or 9000 Universal Digital Control Systems (UDC) available from Honeywell, Inc. of Port Washington, Pa. Other suitable controllers include the 350 and 550 Series Systems available from Yokogawa Corp. of America of Newnan, Ga. Frequently, such controllers can be programmed and a crematory configured to entirely automate an operable cycle of incineration and cremation without requiring further operator involvement between stages of the operable cycle. Depending on the specific programming and crematory configuration, this may include automatic movement of the crematory door 40 b from open to closed positions at the start of an operable cycle and automatic movement of the crematory door 406 from closed to open positions at the completion of an operable cycle.

As best understood by comparing the rear perspective view of the crematory 20 b in FIG. 6 to the side view of the crematory 20 b in FIG. 8, actuated movement of the crematory door 40 b to the open or closed positions is performed with an actuator 56 b incorporating an electric motor 166 b. The actuator 56 b is mounted in fixed position relative to the base section 28 b of the crematory 20 b on an actuator mount 168 b. An actuator rod 170 b connects to the lever assembly 52 b of the crematory door 40 b at the lever pivot 64 b. When the actuator 56 b is operated to move the crematory door 40 b from the closed position to the open position, the electric motor 166 b drives the actuator 56 b to pull the actuator rod 170 b in a downward direction to move the lever pivot 64 b toward the actuator mount 168 b. This causes the crematory door 40 b to rotate about its door pivot 42 b upward to assume the open position shown in FIG. 6. When the actuator 56 b is operated to move the crematory door 40 b from the open position to the closed position, the actuator 56 b pushes the actuator rod 170 b in an upward direction to move the lever pivot 64 b away from the actuator mount 168 b. This causes the crematory door 40 b to rotate about its door pivot 42 b downward to assume the closed position shown in FIG. 8.

It will be appreciated that other actuators can be incorporated into crematories within the intended scope of the invention. For example, FIGS. 10A and B depict side conceptual views of a crematory 20 c of the invention having an actuator 56 c in which an electric motor 166 c is positioned to operate a screw jack 172 c that rotates internal female engagement threads (not shown) to engage male engagement threads 174 c on an actuator rod 170 c. The female engagement threads can be rotated counter clockwise to cause the actuator rod 170 c to move upward and thereby cause the crematory door 40 c to rotate around its door pivot 42 c in a downward direction toward the base section 28 c and assume the closed position, as shown in FIG. 10A. The female engagement threads can be rotated clockwise to cause the actuator rod 170 c to move downward and retreat into a rod housing 176 c, thereby causing the crematory door 40 c to rotate around its door pivot 42 c in a upward direction away from the base section 28 c and assume the open position, as shown in FIG. 10B.

FIGS. 11A and B depict side conceptual views of a crematory 20 d of the invention having an actuator 56 d in which an electric motor 166 d is positioned to operate a ball screw jack 178 d that causes the actuator rod 170 d to move upward and thereby cause the crematory door 40 d to rotate around its door pivot 42 d in a downward direction toward the base section 28 d and assume the closed position, as shown in FIG. 11A. The ball screw jack 178 d can also cause the actuator rod 170 d to move downward and retreat into a rod housing 176 d, thereby causing the crematory door 40 d to rotate around its door pivot 42 d in a upward direction away from the base section 28 d and assume the open position, as shown in FIG. 11B.

FIGS. 12A and B depict side conceptual views of a crematory 20 e of the invention having a fluid operated actuator 56e mounted on the base section 28 e with a cylinder mount 179 e. A piston rod 180 e of a fluid cylinder 182 e is positioned to engage the lever assembly 52 e of the crematory door 40 e at a lever pivot 64 e. The fluid cylinder 182 e can be either hydraulically or pneumatically operated. When the fluid cylinder 182 e causes the piston rod 180 e to extend upward, this causes the lever assembly 52 e to rotate the crematory door 40 e in a downward direction and around its door pivot 42 e toward the closed position, as shown in FIG. 12A. When the fluid cylinder 182 e causes the piston rod 180 e to retract into the fluid cylinder 182 e, this causes the lever assembly 52 e to rotate the crematory door 40 e in an upward direction around its door pivot 42 e toward the open position, as shown in FIG. 12B.

FIGS. 13A and B depict side conceptual views of a crematory 20 f of the invention having a counterweighted lever assembly 52 f attached to the crematory door 40 f. A counterweight 184 f is suspended from a distal end 185 f of the lever assembly 52 f with a counterweight hook 186 f. A relatively small, manually operated fluid cylinder 182 f is positioned relative to the base section 28 f with an actuator mount 168 f and includes a piston rod 180 f that is connected to the lever assembly 52 f of the crematory door 40 f with a lever pivot 644. The fluid cylinder 182 f can be either hydraulically or pneumatically operated and is manually operated by an operator. When the operator manually activates the fluid cylinder 182 f to cause the piston rod 180 f to extend from the fluid cylinder 182 f, this causes the lever assembly 52 f to rotate the crematory door 40 f in a downward direction around its door pivot 42 f toward the closed position, as shown in FIG. 13A. The weight of the suspended counterweight 184 f, which is pulled vertically out of its counterweight housing 188 f, moderates the dropping force of the crematory door 40 f as it moves toward the closed position.

When the operator activates the fluid cylinder 182 f to retract the piston rod 180 f into the fluid cylinder 182 f, this causes the lever assembly 52 f to rotate the crematory door 40 f in an upward direction around its door pivot 42 f toward the open position, as shown in FIG. 13B. Due to the lever advantage of the lever assembly 52 f with respect to the door pivot 42 f and the weight of the suspended counterweight 184 f, which is allowed to lower itself back into its counterweight housing 188 f, a lower amount of force is required to be exerted by the fluid cylinder 182 f to raise the crematory door 40 f as it moves toward the open position depicted in FIG. 13B. Thus, the presence of the suspended counterweight 184 f allows an operator to utilize a smaller fluid cylinder 182 f than would otherwise be necessary for rotating the crematory door 40 f around its door pivot 42 f.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, such counter weighting of a crematory door may allow for other types of reduced size actuator mechanisms to be used in place of a fluid cylinder. In some embodiments, similar counter weighting may allow for an operator to move a crematory door to open and closed positions by hand.

It will be further appreciated that while the invention has been shown and described as having a crematory door having an insulated clamshell configuration, other types of crematory door configurations are possible and are within the contemplated scope of the invention. For example, FIGS. 14A and B depict a crematory 20 g of the invention having a crematory door 40 g that is vertically liftable from a closed position, as shown in FIG. 14A, to an open position, as shown in FIG. 14B. The crematory door 40 g includes a face shield 46 g and side shields 48 g, the face shield 46 g and side shields 48 g each allowing the crematory door 40 g to cover at least substantially one side of the crematory 20 g above the cremation surface 32 g when the crematory door 40 g is in the closed position. The crematory door 40 g is also aligned in position on the base section 28 g with alignment pins 190 g, each of different heights relative to the base section 28 g, that are each positioned to extend upwards from the base section 28 g to engage corresponding alignment holes 192 g positioned on the crematory door 40 g. The differing heights of the individual alignment pins 190 g allow the crematory door 40 g to engage each pin sequentially to facilitate alignment as the cremation door 40 g is moved toward the closed position.

As best understood by comparing FIGS. 14A and B, when the crematory door 40 g is in the closed position depicted in FIG. 14A, the top shield 50 g of the crematory door 40 g extends substantially over the cremation surface 32 g from about the loading level 36 g. When the crematory door 40 g is vertically lifted to the open position depicted in FIG. 14B, a body can be loaded on to the cremation surface 32 g from multiple sides of the crematory 20 g and from about the loading level 36 g, though the presence of the flue 72 g and chimney 152 g may obstruct access to the cremation surface 32 g from the loading level 36 g on one side.

FIGS. 15A and B depict a crematory 20 h of the invention having a domed crematory door 40 h that is also vertically liftable from a closed position, as shown in FIG. 15A, to an open position, as shown in FIG. 15B. The domed crematory door 40 h forms a face shield 46 h as well as side shields 48 h, the face shield 46 h and side shields 48 h also each allowing the crematory door 40 h to cover at least substantially one side of the crematory 20 h above the cremation surface 32 h when the crematory door 40 h is in the closed position. The crematory door 40 h is also aligned in position on the base section 28 h with alignment pins 190 h to engage corresponding alignment holes 192 h positioned on the crematory door 40 h to facilitate alignment as the cremation door 40 h is moved toward the closed position.

As best understood by comparing FIGS. 15A and B, when the crematory door 40 h is in the closed position depicted in FIG. 15A, the top shield 50 h of the crematory door 40 h extends substantially over the cremation surface 32 h from about the loading level 36 h. However, the top shield 50 h does not extend completely over the cremation surface 32 h since the rolled surface of the top shield 50 h transitions into the outer surfaces of the face shield 46 h and side shields 48 h. When the crematory door 40 h is vertically lifted to the open position depicted in FIG. 15B, a body can be loaded on to the cremation surface 32 h from multiple sides of the crematory 20 h and from about the loading level 36 h, though the presence of the flue 72 h and chimney 152 h also may obstruct access to the cremation surface 32 h from the loading level 36 h on one side.

Although the invention has been shown and described as having a loading level and cremation surface that are above a floor level where loading takes place, it will be appreciated that in some contemplated embodiments of the invention, either the loading level, cremation surface or both the loading level and cremation surface may be positioned lower than a floor level from which loading takes place. Such configurations may be appropriately implemented where a surrounding building has been constructed around a crematory of the invention after crematory installation or where the crematory or surrounding floor has been custom installed in the surrounding building to the extent that previous flooring or foundational materials have been removed. Such configurations may also be appropriately implemented where a crematory is oversized, such cremators intended for the cremation of significantly larger animals.

For example, FIGS. 16A and B depict side conceptual views of a crematory 20 i of the invention in which the base section 28 i is set into a surrounding floor 26 i to the extent that the cremation surface 32 i and loading level 36 i are below a floor level 24 i from which loading of the crematory 20 i takes place. A clearance taper 194 i is added to the surrounding floor 26 i and can serve to facilitate crematory installation and/or the later loading of bodies onto the cremation surface 32 i or “charging” of the crematory 20 i. As is best understood with a comparison of FIGS. 16A with 16B, since the crematory door 40 i also extends slightly below the floor level 24 i when in the closed position as shown in FIG. 16A, the clearance taper 194 i can also serve to provide additional clearance for the crematory door 40 i when the door 40 i is rotated around its door pivot 42 i to the open position, as depicted in FIG. 16B.

Although the invention has been shown and described as having an incinerator located within a base section of a crematory, it will be appreciated that other incinerator configurations are also possible and are within the contemplated scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 17 depicts a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory 20 j with incinerator 68 j of the invention in which the incinerator 68 j extends from one side of the base section 28 j and extends vertically. A linear shaped gas flow path (not shown in FIG. 21) extends vertically along approximately the height of the incinerator 68 j leading to a flue 72 j that exhausts the remaining incinerated material into the chimney 152 j. With the incinerator 68 j positioned at one side of the base section 28 j, it is normally possible to lower the loading level 36 j to a position that is substantially below a person's waist level 38 j.

In operation, it is often considered optimal for waste particles and gases from the cremation process to remain within an incinerator for at least a predetermined minimum incineration time. For example, at normal incineration temperatures of from about 1600° F. to 2000° F., an optimal predetermined incineration time for flowing effluents can be approximately one second before being expelled from the incinerator. However, the velocity of effluent flow through the incinerator will depend largely on the available cross sectional area of the incinerator with respect to the volume of waste particle and gas effluents entering the incinerator. Thus, for purposes of comparison, assume that the incinerator 68 j of FIG. 17 has a flow path having a similar cross sectional area to the u-shaped flow path 69 b of the incinerator 68 b of FIG. 9. Consider that similar fuels and operating conditions are used for cremating and incinerating similar bodies in the crematories 20 b and 20 j. The vertical height of the incinerator 68 j of FIG. 17 would normally need to be approximately equal to the total length of the u-shaped flow path 69 b of the incinerator 68 b of FIG. 9 to achieve similar levels of incineration.

FIG. 18 depicts a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory 20 k with incinerator 68 k of the invention in which the incinerator 68 k extends from one side of the base section 28 k and includes a linear shaped and horizontally extending gas flow path (not shown) that extends approximately the length of the incinerator 68 k. The cross sectional shape of the incinerator 68 k is slightly shorter in comparison to the cross sectional thickness of the flow path of the incinerator 68 j of FIG. 17. However, the cross sectional width and overall flow path length of the incinerator 68 k of FIG. 18 are accordingly increased to ensure that a similar volume of effluents, which would resultantly move through the incinerator 68 k at greater velocity, remain within the incinerator 68 k for a sufficiently long period of time to ensure proper incineration.

FIG. 19 depicts a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory 20 l with incinerator 68 l of the invention in which the incinerator 68 l extends from one side of the base section 28 l and includes a linear shaped and horizontally extending gas flow path (not shown) that is greatly shortened, extends approximately the shortened length of the incinerator 68 l The cross sectional width and height of the incinerator 68 l are correspondingly increased to account for the shortened gas flow path length. As a result, the velocity of effluents undergoing incineration within the incinerator 68 l are correspondingly reduced, allowing for an appropriately long incineration period of time.

FIG. 20 depicts a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory 20 m with incinerator 68 m of the invention in which the incinerator 68 m extends from one side of the base section 28 m and includes a u-shaped gas flow path (not shown) that extends approximately along the u-shaped length of the incinerator 68 m. Like the incinerator 68 b of FIG. 9, the u-shaped gas flow path allows for incineration to occur along its u-shaped length, the total u-shaped length being adjusted to account for cross sectional sizing of the gas flow path to ensure a sufficiently long incineration period of time. However, by extending the incinerator 68 m from one side of the base section, it becomes possible to lower the loading level 36 m below the waist level 38 m.

FIG. 21 depicts a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory 20 n with incinerator 68 n of the invention in which the loading level 36 n is maintained at about a waist level 38 n by raising the vertical positioning of the base section 28 n with base section legs 28 n. A u-shaped incinerator 68 n is suspended at a position that is substantially higher than the loading level 36 n. However, the cross sectional sizing and u-shaped length of the gas flow path is appropriately selected to ensure that flowing effluents remain within the incinerator 68 n for a sufficient amount of time to ensure proper incineration.

FIG. 22 depicts a front perspective conceptual view of an arrangement of a crematory 20 o with incinerator 68 o of the invention in which the loading level 36 o is also maintained at about a waist level 38 o by raising the vertical positioning of the base section 28 o with base section legs 28 o. A linear shaped incinerator 68 o is also suspended at a position that is substantially higher than the loading level 36 o. Again, the cross sectional sizing and u-shaped length of the gas flow path is appropriately selected to ensure that flowing effluents are retained within the incinerator 68 o for adequate incineration to take place.

This invention has been described with reference to several preferred embodiments. Many modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such alterations and modifications in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents of these claims. 

1. A crematory comprising: a base section, said base section having a hearth positioned therein, said crematory having a plurality of sides, said hearth having a cremation surface; said cremation surface being located at a position within said base section that allows for the loading of a body onto said cremation surface from at least one of said plurality of sides of said crematory and from a loading level that is no higher than about a person's waist level relative to a floor level where loading of said crematory takes place; a crematory door, said crematory door being mounted to move to a closed position and to an open position, said crematory door covering at least substantially one side of said crematory above said cremation surface when said crematory door is in said closed position, said crematory door extending substantially over said cremation surface from about said loading level when said crematory door is in said closed position; said crematory door being positioned to allow a body to be loaded on to said cremation surface from about at least one of said sides of said crematory and from about said loading level when said crematory door is in said open position.
 2. The crematory of claim 1, a floor level being at about the level of a floor adjacent said crematory.
 3. The crematory of claim 1, said crematory door being mounted to rotate around a door pivot from said closed position to said open position and from said open position to said closed position.
 4. The crematory of claim 1 further comprising: an insulated crematory door; an insulated base section, said insulated base section providing a major structural assembly of said crematory; and said hearth being located within said insulated base section.
 5. The crematory of claim 1, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding ceramic material.
 6. The crematory of claim 1, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding metal material.
 7. The crematory of claim 1, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding composite material.
 8. The crematory of claim 1, said crematory door having a face shield, side shield, top shield, and lever assembly.
 9. The crematory of claim 1, said crematory door having a dome shape.
 10. The crematory of claim 1, said crematory having at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said at least one cremation burner being gas fired.
 11. The crematory of claim 1 further comprising: at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said cremation burner being gas fired; at least one conduit for providing gas to said at least one cremation burner; and said base section having structural tubing, said structural tubing serving as at least one of said at least one conduit.
 12. The crematory of claim 1 further comprising: at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said cremation burner being gas fired; at least one conduit for providing air to said at least one cremation burner; and said base section having structural tubing, said structural tubing serving as at least one of said at least one conduit.
 13. The crematory of claim 1 further comprising a flue for allowing waste gases to exit said crematory during a cremation process.
 14. The crematory of claim 1 further comprising: a flue for allowing waste gases to exit said crematory during a cremation process; and a chimney for channeling waste gases that exit said crematory through said flue away from said crematory.
 15. The crematory of claim 1, said crematory door being vertically liftable from said closed position to said open position.
 16. The crematory of claim 1, said crematory door being vertically liftable from said closed position to said open position and further comprising: a plurality of alignment pins positioned on said base section; a plurality of alignment holes positioned on said crematory door; and said alignment holes positioned to engage said alignment pins and properly align said crematory door with respect to said base section when said crematory door is moved to said closed position.
 17. The crematory of claim 1 further comprising an actuator for moving said crematory door to at least one of said closed position and said open position.
 18. The crematory of claim 1 further comprising an incinerator for further consuming waste particles and gases passing from said hearth before the waste particles and gases exit from said crematory.
 19. A crematory comprising: a base section, said base section having a hearth positioned therein, said crematory having a plurality of sides, said hearth having a cremation surface; said cremation surface being located at a position within said base section that allows for the loading of a body onto said cremation surface from at least one of said plurality of sides of said crematory and from a loading level that is no higher than about a person's waist level relative to a floor from which loading of said crematory takes place; and a crematory door, said crematory door being mounted to rotate around a door pivot to a closed position and to an open position, said crematory door covering at least substantially one side of said crematory above said cremation surface when said crematory door is in said closed position, said crematory door extending substantially over said cremation surface from about said loading level when said crematory door is in said closed position; said crematory door being positioned to allow a body to be loaded onto said cremation surface from about at least one of said sides of said crematory and from about said loading level when said crematory door is in said open position.
 20. The crematory of claim 19, a floor level being at about the level of a floor adjacent said crematory.
 21. The crematory of claim 19, said crematory door being mounted to rotate around a door pivot from said closed position to said open position and from said open position to said closed position.
 22. The crematory of claim 19 further comprising: an insulated crematory door; an insulated base section, said insulated base section providing a major structural assembly of said crematory; and said hearth being located within said insulated base section.
 23. The crematory of claim 19, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding ceramic material.
 24. The crematory of claim 19, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding metal material.
 25. The crematory of claim 19, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding composite material.
 26. The crematory of claim 19, said crematory door having a face shield, side shield, top shield, and lever assembly.
 27. The crematory of claim 19, said crematory door having a dome shape.
 28. The crematory of claim 19, said crematory having at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said at least one cremation burner being gas fired.
 29. The crematory of claim 19 further comprising: at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said cremation burner being gas fired; at least one conduit for providing gas to said at least one cremation burner; and said base section having structural tubing, said structural tubing serving as at least one of said at least one conduit.
 30. The crematory of claim 19 further comprising: at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said cremation burner being gas fired; at least one conduit for providing air to said at least one cremation burner; and said base section having structural tubing, said structural tubing serving as at least one of said at least one conduit.
 31. The crematory of claim 19 further comprising a flue for allowing waste gases to exit said crematory during a cremation process.
 32. The crematory of claim 19 further comprising: a flue for allowing waste gases to exit said crematory during a cremation process; and a chimney for channeling waste gases that exit said crematory through said flue away from said crematory.
 33. The crematory of claim 19 further comprising an actuator for rotating said crematory door around said door pivot to thereby move said crematory door to at least one of said closed position and said open position.
 34. The crematory of claim 19 further comprising an incinerator for further consuming waste particles and gases passing from said hearth before the waste particles and gases exit from said crematory.
 35. A crematory comprising: a base section, said base section having a hearth positioned therein, said crematory having a plurality of sides, said hearth having a cremation surface; said cremation surface being located at a position within said base section that allows for the loading of a body onto said cremation surface from at least one of said plurality of sides of said crematory and from a loading level that is no higher than about a person's waist level relative to a floor level where loading of said crematory takes place; a crematory door, said crematory door being mounted to rotate around a door pivot to a closed position and to an open position, said crematory door covering at least substantially one side of said crematory above said cremation surface when said crematory door is in said closed position, said crematory door extending substantially over said cremation surface from about said loading level when said crematory door is in said closed position; said crematory door being positioned to allow a body to be loaded onto said cremation surface from about said at least one of said sides of said crematory and from about said loading level when said crematory door is in said open position; and an actuator for rotating said crematory door relative to said door pivot and to thereby move said crematory door to at least one of said closed position and said open position.
 36. The crematory of claim 35 further comprising: a lever assembly extending from said crematory door; a base pivot, lower strut section, upper strut section, and lever pivot, said upper strut section being connected to said lever assembly at said lever pivot, said lower strut section being connected to said base section at said base pivot, said lower strut section and said upper strut section being connected to said actuator; and said actuator being capable of moving said crematory door to said open position by pulling said upper strut section to move said lever pivot and said lever assembly toward said base pivot and said base section to cause said crematory door to rotate around said door pivot and thereby move away from said hearth.
 37. The crematory of claim 35 further comprising: a lever assembly extending from said crematory door; a base pivot, lower strut section, upper strut section, and lever pivot, said upper strut section being connected to said lever assembly at said lever pivot, said lower strut section being connected to said base section at said base pivot, said lower strut section and said upper strut section being connected to said actuator; and said actuator being capable of moving said crematory door to said closed position by pushing said upper strut section to move said lever pivot and said lever assembly away from said base pivot and said base section to cause said crematory door to rotate around said door pivot and thereby move toward said hearth.
 38. The crematory of claim 35, said actuator being electrically operated.
 39. The crematory of claim 35, said actuator being pneumatically operated.
 40. The crematory of claim 35, said actuator being hydraulically operated.
 41. The crematory of claim 35 further comprising: an insulated crematory door; an insulated base section, said insulated base section providing a major structural assembly of said crematory; and said hearth being located within said insulated base section.
 42. The crematory of claim 35, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding ceramic material.
 43. The crematory of claim 35, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding metal material.
 44. The crematory of claim 35, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding composite material.
 45. The crematory of claim 35, said crematory door having a face shield, side shield, top shield, and lever assembly.
 46. The crematory of claim 35, said crematory door having a dome shape.
 47. The crematory of claim 35, said crematory having at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said at least one cremation burner being gas fired.
 48. The crematory of claim 35 further comprising: at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said cremation burner being gas fired; at least one conduit for providing gas to said at least one cremation burner; and said base section having structural tubing, said structural tubing serving as at least one of said at least one conduit.
 49. The crematory of claim 35 further comprising: at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said cremation burner being gas fired; at least one conduit for providing air to said at least one cremation burner; and said base section having structural tubing, said structural tubing serving as at least one of said at least one conduit.
 50. The crematory of claim 35 further comprising a flue for allowing waste gases to exit said crematory during a cremation process.
 51. The crematory of claim 35 further comprising: a flue for allowing waste gases to exit said crematory during a cremation process; and a chimney for channeling waste gases that exit said crematory through said flue away from said crematory.
 52. The crematory of claim 35 further comprising an incinerator for further consuming waste particles and gases passing from said hearth before the waste particles and gases exit from said crematory.
 53. A crematory comprising: a base section, said base section having a hearth positioned therein, said crematory having a plurality of sides, said hearth having a cremation surface; said cremation surface being located at a position within said base section that allows for the loading of a body on to said cremation surface from at least one of said plurality of sides of said crematory and from a loading level that is no higher than about a person's waist level relative to a floor level where loading of said crematory takes place; a crematory door, said crematory door being mounted to rotate around a door pivot from a closed position to an open position and from said open position to said closed position, said crematory door covering at least substantially one side of said crematory above said cremation surface when said crematory door is in said closed position, said crematory door extending substantially over said cremation surface from about said loading level when said crematory door is in said closed position, said crematory door being positioned to allow a body to be loaded onto said cremation surface from about said at least one of said sides of said crematory and from about said loading level when said crematory door is in said open position; and an incinerator for further consuming waste particles and gases passing from said hearth before the waste particles and gases exit from said crematory.
 54. The crematory of claim 53, said incinerator being capable of achieving temperatures of from about 1600° F. to about 2000° F. prior to the commencing of a cremation operation in said hearth.
 55. The crematory of claim 53, said incinerator having a unshaped gas flow path.
 56. The crematory of claim 53, said incinerator having a linear shaped and vertically extending gas flow path.
 57. The crematory of claim 53, said incinerator having a linear shaped and horizontally extending gas flow path.
 58. The crematory of claim 53, said incinerator having a gas flow path that is suspended at a position that is substantially higher than said loading level.
 59. The crematory of claim 53, said incinerator having a separate incinerator burner.
 60. The crematory of claim 53, said incinerator having a separate incinerator burner that is gas fired.
 61. The crematory of claim 53 further comprising: an insulated crematory door; an insulated base section, said insulated base section providing a major structural assembly of said crematory; and said hearth being located within said insulated base section.
 62. The crematory of claim 53, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding ceramic material.
 63. The crematory of claim 53, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding metal material.
 64. The crematory of claim 53, said cremation surface comprising a high temperature withstanding composite material.
 65. The crematory of claim 53, said crematory door having a face shield, side shield, top shield, and lever assembly.
 66. The crematory of claim 53, said crematory door having a dome shape.
 67. The crematory of claim 53, said crematory having at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said at least one cremation burner being gas fired.
 68. The crematory of claim 53 further comprising: at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said cremation burner being gas fired; at least one conduit for providing gas to said at least one cremation burner; and said base section having structural tubing, said structural tubing serving as at least one of said at least one conduit.
 69. The crematory of claim 53 further comprising: at least one cremation burner for heating said hearth during a cremation process, said cremation burner being gas fired; at least one conduit for providing air to said at least one cremation burner; and said base section having structural tubing, said structural tubing serving as at least one of said at least one conduit.
 70. The crematory of claim 53 further comprising a flue for allowing waste gases to exit said crematory during a cremation process.
 71. The crematory of claim 53 further comprising: a flue for allowing waste gases to exit said crematory during a cremation process; and a chimney for channeling waste gases that exit said crematory through said flue away from said crematory.
 72. The crematory of claim 53 further comprising an actuator for rotating said crematory door around said door pivot to thereby move said crematory door to at least one of said closed position and said open position. 